Go us!
10 September, 2009
29 August, 2009
22 August, 2009
Ramadan 2009 Begins
Ramadan kareem to friends here and out in the wide world. I miss those neighborhood drummers!
Salaam/سلام
Salaam/سلام
15 August, 2009
By the way...
Be sure to take a few minutes and read The Great Hargeisa Goat Bubble by Julian Gough.
Don't worry, it's a short story. Well worth your time, I promise.
Salaam/سلام
Don't worry, it's a short story. Well worth your time, I promise.
Salaam/سلام
On Your Mark...
I am about to begin my third semester of grad school here in Tejas, so I decided to change things up a bit. I love José Guadelupe Posada, so I went with his Don Quixote. Seems fitting for a student of social work. I need to get out and start shooting some of my wonderful neighborhood, but the summer heat makes the idea of venturing forth to wander the streets a bit unpleasant. Of course, I soon won't have a choice. School starts the last week of the month and this semester will be a bit hectic: three classes in my program, Arabic III at a different school, a 20-hour/wk. internship as part of my program and a 10-hour/wk. teaching assistant position with a favorite professor. Just returned from a brief reboot in Florida where I dove, kayaked and swam myself ragged in the ocean. We'll see how the coming months shake out on this blog.
Salaam/سلام
Salaam/سلام
25 July, 2009
The Minimum Wage Increase...some perspective
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
02 July, 2009
25 June, 2009
Update from Iran
Here's some of an email I received today from friends in Iran...
"Thanks God we are all OK physically, but emotionally we are disturbed by the militias' brutal attack on people and the lives that are lost. We have our ups and downs for example based on a speech here and there given by some officials, and just listening to their nonsense lies is enough to make you insulted and agitated for hours.
At the same time observing the bravery of our people, especially women who are very active in the movement brings ray of hope to our hearts for a brighter future. We know that for a reformed Iran we must remain patient & keep our unity to continue the path that many of our innocent citizens lost their lives over it."
They also forwarded an image of a man's body on a table with a gaping lateral wound across the middle of his left breast and down his left side. The accompanying description accompanying the image states:This is an axe wound, just one, doled out by the regime's thug basiji animals on Saturday, June 20, 2009.
This was a brutal murder of an assuredly unarmed protester of the up-close-and-personal variety. An act, and one not isolated, which requires the presence of inhumane malice and aggression and the absence of humanity. The traits required for massacres upon the unarmed. There is no nuance, no logical approach, no deft explanation that covers near silence and inadequate, tepid condemnation of the meekest sort. To decline any mention of possible repercussions on the regime for these acts "because we don't know how this is going to turn out" is moral cowardice of the highest order.
I feel it important to state that cannot verify the image or description. There were reports of militia members wielding axes against protesters yesterday, however that is far from verification. The last line is interesting. I've heard no similar complaints directly from my friends.
Salaam/سلام
"Thanks God we are all OK physically, but emotionally we are disturbed by the militias' brutal attack on people and the lives that are lost. We have our ups and downs for example based on a speech here and there given by some officials, and just listening to their nonsense lies is enough to make you insulted and agitated for hours.
At the same time observing the bravery of our people, especially women who are very active in the movement brings ray of hope to our hearts for a brighter future. We know that for a reformed Iran we must remain patient & keep our unity to continue the path that many of our innocent citizens lost their lives over it."
They also forwarded an image of a man's body on a table with a gaping lateral wound across the middle of his left breast and down his left side. The accompanying description accompanying the image states:This is an axe wound, just one, doled out by the regime's thug basiji animals on Saturday, June 20, 2009.
This was a brutal murder of an assuredly unarmed protester of the up-close-and-personal variety. An act, and one not isolated, which requires the presence of inhumane malice and aggression and the absence of humanity. The traits required for massacres upon the unarmed. There is no nuance, no logical approach, no deft explanation that covers near silence and inadequate, tepid condemnation of the meekest sort. To decline any mention of possible repercussions on the regime for these acts "because we don't know how this is going to turn out" is moral cowardice of the highest order.
I feel it important to state that cannot verify the image or description. There were reports of militia members wielding axes against protesters yesterday, however that is far from verification. The last line is interesting. I've heard no similar complaints directly from my friends.
Salaam/سلام
23 June, 2009
The Islamic Republic Bans God
Richard Engel on NBC is reporting that the takbir, "Allahu Akbar/God is great!", the rallying cry of the opposition in Iran, which has been shouted during demonstrations in the daytime and from rooftops at night, has been banned by Iranian government and neighbors are to inform on those who still take part in the nightly calls.
If this is true, it's pretty unbelievable.
Salaam/سلام
If this is true, it's pretty unbelievable.
Salaam/سلام
22 June, 2009
Nokia, Siemens and Iran
Very good report in the WSJ today about the technology used by the Iranian government to monitor communications and who sold some of it to them. Also a related piece from the Guardian.
"Asked about selling such equipment to a government like Iran's, Mr. Roome of Nokia Siemens Networks said the company 'does have a choice about whether to do business in any country. We believe providing people, wherever they are, with the ability to communicate is preferable to leaving them without the choice to be heard.'"
My question is are there telecom firms that have refused to sell this type of technology to repressive regimes? And, does this story make anyone else want to toss their Nokia phone?
Salaam/سلام
"Asked about selling such equipment to a government like Iran's, Mr. Roome of Nokia Siemens Networks said the company 'does have a choice about whether to do business in any country. We believe providing people, wherever they are, with the ability to communicate is preferable to leaving them without the choice to be heard.'"
My question is are there telecom firms that have refused to sell this type of technology to repressive regimes? And, does this story make anyone else want to toss their Nokia phone?
Salaam/سلام
20 June, 2009
The Latest
I finally received an email at about 4am Tehran time from my friends and they are alright. Worried, weary and unsure what's next, but o.k. and I am so very thankful.
Not everyone was so lucky. Supposedly the young woman whose death was captured on video and spread around the world today was named Neda. Someone elsewhere pointed out that Neda means "voice or call" in Farsi. Whether that is her name or not, she was someone's daughter and grand-daughter, perhaps someone's sister, girlfriend or wife. I simply cannot quite come up with satisfying words...
I have no idea what today (about 8a.m. there now) will bring for people there, but my friends, their families and friends, and really the whole country are in my thoughts.
Salaam/سلام
Not everyone was so lucky. Supposedly the young woman whose death was captured on video and spread around the world today was named Neda. Someone elsewhere pointed out that Neda means "voice or call" in Farsi. Whether that is her name or not, she was someone's daughter and grand-daughter, perhaps someone's sister, girlfriend or wife. I simply cannot quite come up with satisfying words...
I have no idea what today (about 8a.m. there now) will bring for people there, but my friends, their families and friends, and really the whole country are in my thoughts.
Salaam/سلام
Regime violates own constitution...
Article 27 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Public gatherings and marches may be freely held, provided arms are not carried and that they are not detrimental to the fundamental principles of Islam.(The movement has been non-violent and fully in compliance with the principles of Islam)
------------------------------
Articles of the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam
3(d) Safety from bodily harm is a guaranteed right. It is the duty of the state to safeguard it, and it is prohibited to breach it without a Shari'ah-prescribed reason.
11(a) Human beings are born free, and no one has the right to enslave, humiliate, oppress or exploit them, and there can be no subjugation but to Allah the Almighty.
18(a) Everyone shall have the right to live in security for himself, his religion, his dependents, his honour and his property.
(b) Everyone shall have the right to privacy in the conduct of his private affairs, in his home, among his family, with regard to his property and his relationships. It is not permitted to spy on him, to place him under surveillance or to besmirch his good name. The State shall protect him from arbitrary interference.
(c) A private residence is inviolable in all cases. It will not be entered without permission from its inhabitants or in any unlawful manner, nor shall it be demolished or confiscated and its dwellers evicted.
22(a) Everyone shall have the right to express his opinion freely in such manner as would not be contrary to the principles of the Shari'ah.
(b) Everyone shall have the right to advocate what is right, and propagate what is good, and warn against what is wrong and evil according to the norms of Islamic Shari'ah.
(c) Information is a vital necessity to society. It may not be exploited or misused in such a way as may violate sanctities and the dignity of Prophets, undermine moral and ethical Values or disintegrate, corrupt or harm society or weaken its faith.
23(a) Authority is a trust; and abuse or malicious exploitation thereof is explicitly prohibited, in order to guarantee fundamental human rights.
(b) Everyone shall have the right to participate, directly or indirectly in the administration of his country's public affairs. He shall also have the right to assume public office in accordance with the provisions of Shari'ah.
--------------------------Article 20.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(Iran is a signatory to the UDHR)
Salaam/سلام
Violence in Iran
Word is trickling out of violence in Tehran, including a supposed bombing - announced by the government, so very suspect - at the tomb of Imam Khomeini in southern Tehran. No word on the rest of the country. Most importantly for me, no word from friends.
Video from BBC Persian service
Pitney's live blog on Huff Post
May never watch CNN again since they are relying on Iranian state-controlled Press TV for their "information". Idiots. Reminds me of when I lived in Syria and was invited to a friend's home: "We're easy to find, right across from the Ministry of Information." Knowing the part of town they lived in, I was a bit confused, but upon arriving I had a good laugh when I looked across the street to see the offices of al-Baath newspaper.
This video, reportedly made last night, has made the rounds but is none-the-less very moving.
Salaam/سلام
Video from BBC Persian service
Pitney's live blog on Huff Post
May never watch CNN again since they are relying on Iranian state-controlled Press TV for their "information". Idiots. Reminds me of when I lived in Syria and was invited to a friend's home: "We're easy to find, right across from the Ministry of Information." Knowing the part of town they lived in, I was a bit confused, but upon arriving I had a good laugh when I looked across the street to see the offices of al-Baath newspaper.
This video, reportedly made last night, has made the rounds but is none-the-less very moving.
Salaam/سلام
19 June, 2009
More from Iran
Here's more of the latest from friends in Iran, again edited to protect them. Everybody is very worried of what will happen at Saturday's march and thereafter. I agree with my friend here, hard to believe this has all unfolded in one week....
-------------------------------------
I can't open sites such as....and of course many other sites. We can use some proxies of course but it changes daily and sometimes it is time consuming if you want to get unbiased news fast.
I read your blog and it is very thoughtful of you to write about Iran.
As you know the leader Ayatullah Khamenei delivered his speech in Tehran University Friday prayer this morning and he confirmed he is on Ahmadinejad's side and there should be an end to opposition rallies otherwise the demonstrators and their leaders will face God's punishment!!!! (you know what he means by that). Also he said the only way for Mousavi is through Guardian Council if he wishes to complain about the election result.
Tomorrow there will be another massive rally by the opposition group and we have to wait and see how the guards will react after the disappointing but threatening speech today.
It is a very confusing situation now. We have serious conflict of interests between the clerics in power plus a newly formed opposition movement which soon will either be demolished completely or leads to a bloody civil war.
Oh I am so tired of watching news and reading and not having a normal life for the past week. I still can't believe it all happened in one week. Last Friday at exact same time I was voting with high hopes ......... Unlike some people I am still hopeful but worried as well.
I love you and thank you again for all you do. I am attaching few pics from the rally last evening; a silent walk to mourn for those killed in the protests. Mousavi himself was among the people and said he will continue and won't give up ..... we'll see!!!!
------------------------------
Salaam/سلام
-------------------------------------
I can't open sites such as....and of course many other sites. We can use some proxies of course but it changes daily and sometimes it is time consuming if you want to get unbiased news fast.
I read your blog and it is very thoughtful of you to write about Iran.
As you know the leader Ayatullah Khamenei delivered his speech in Tehran University Friday prayer this morning and he confirmed he is on Ahmadinejad's side and there should be an end to opposition rallies otherwise the demonstrators and their leaders will face God's punishment!!!! (you know what he means by that). Also he said the only way for Mousavi is through Guardian Council if he wishes to complain about the election result.
Tomorrow there will be another massive rally by the opposition group and we have to wait and see how the guards will react after the disappointing but threatening speech today.
It is a very confusing situation now. We have serious conflict of interests between the clerics in power plus a newly formed opposition movement which soon will either be demolished completely or leads to a bloody civil war.
Oh I am so tired of watching news and reading and not having a normal life for the past week. I still can't believe it all happened in one week. Last Friday at exact same time I was voting with high hopes ......... Unlike some people I am still hopeful but worried as well.
I love you and thank you again for all you do. I am attaching few pics from the rally last evening; a silent walk to mourn for those killed in the protests. Mousavi himself was among the people and said he will continue and won't give up ..... we'll see!!!!
------------------------------
Salaam/سلام
17 June, 2009
Words Direct From Iran
I finally received word that my friends in Iran are o.k., for now. They allowed me to share what they wrote, with some editing to protect them. Any notations from me are in light green.
Keep following Nico Pitney's live blog over at HuffPost. Also check out this blog.
----------------------------------------------
Thanks so much for your concern about us here, we are OK somehow feeling excited and hopeful, but at the same time expecting harsh reactions soon from the other side. Also that's so thoughtful of you to go green :)
Tomorrow (Thursday) is going to be the biggest rally by Mousavi supporters to condemn the killing of some protesters and continue showing their opposition to the vote result. On Friday Ayatollah Khamenei will lead Tehran Friday prayers congregation and have a speech for the crowd who are mostly Ahmadinejad's fan. This will most likely lead to additional clashes towards Mousavi's supporters and an order to ban further protests and severe punishment & imprisonment for the demonstrators. They have already asked other countries to stop interfering, blocked most sites and asked the foreign journalists and reporters to leave the country.
Please keep praying for a positive outcome and by the way I don't mind you use my words or pics in your blog (of course as you said no reference to who I am).
----------------------------------------------
"YES WE ARE OK and hoping for a real reform after 30 years...
The internet connection is very slow at some hours due to the recent events. Most sites are blocked, sms text messaging is blocked and mobile phone communication is literally blocked after 4 pm. Every day we have huge demonstrations backing Mr. Mousavi...(regarding protests Wed.) just called me and said probably millions were there. Pro-Mousavi protesters either have silent walk wearing black with green flags or ribbons to show respect to the people who were killed by riot police during Monday rally. Tomorrow (Thursday) Mousavi asked for a mass rally...
It is the most exciting and different time in Iran since my childhood when the revolution happened. This time most people voted because they were fed up with lies, bad economy, lack of jobs and all the promises that Ahmadinejad never kept.
The 85% turnout was unbelievable and prior to election date Iranian were so united and all over big cities you could see a lot of young people campaigning for Mousavi and the friendship and unity which was lost for years and years among our people was once again witnessed. All streets and many cars were covered by green banners, ribbons and the excitement was unbelievable. People who haven't voted for the previous election terms were so hopeful this time. Mr. Mousavi is an architect and before election was the president of "Iranian academy of arts". His wife is an artist and has Phd in political science and is his political advisor.
When the interior ministry announced the results ONLY after few hours and declared Ahmadinejad as the president without even giving the results of each province people went crazy. Of course he had the vote of the villages, deprived parts of Iran and military staff, BUT he never could have the vote of the province which Mousavi was born there and they just lied to people's face and thought people are stupid. But this time due to the unity of pre-election among young and old, and the other candidates' disagreement to the strangely low number of votes they got ..... the fire started and it is getting bigger and bigger. I still can't believe how it hasn't stopped. Every night from 9-10 pm people go on the roofs or streets and say "Allah o akbar" or GOD is the greatest, drivers honk and people do things to show their hatred and protest.
Well, I was never good at politics and still am not, but every single moment I find I am either watching TV and getting news from different international channels or search websites.
Whatever the results will be .......... one thing is for sure ...... people are not silent anymore and the present system can't keep them silent as before. Also the world is watching now and those who didn't know much about us and saw us through our government may see us differently.
What do you hear among Americans?
--------------------------------------------
Please keep following the news and keep all these many people in your thoughts.
Salaam/سلام
Keep following Nico Pitney's live blog over at HuffPost. Also check out this blog.
----------------------------------------------
Thanks so much for your concern about us here, we are OK somehow feeling excited and hopeful, but at the same time expecting harsh reactions soon from the other side. Also that's so thoughtful of you to go green :)
Tomorrow (Thursday) is going to be the biggest rally by Mousavi supporters to condemn the killing of some protesters and continue showing their opposition to the vote result. On Friday Ayatollah Khamenei will lead Tehran Friday prayers congregation and have a speech for the crowd who are mostly Ahmadinejad's fan. This will most likely lead to additional clashes towards Mousavi's supporters and an order to ban further protests and severe punishment & imprisonment for the demonstrators. They have already asked other countries to stop interfering, blocked most sites and asked the foreign journalists and reporters to leave the country.
Please keep praying for a positive outcome and by the way I don't mind you use my words or pics in your blog (of course as you said no reference to who I am).
----------------------------------------------
"YES WE ARE OK and hoping for a real reform after 30 years...
The internet connection is very slow at some hours due to the recent events. Most sites are blocked, sms text messaging is blocked and mobile phone communication is literally blocked after 4 pm. Every day we have huge demonstrations backing Mr. Mousavi...(regarding protests Wed.) just called me and said probably millions were there. Pro-Mousavi protesters either have silent walk wearing black with green flags or ribbons to show respect to the people who were killed by riot police during Monday rally. Tomorrow (Thursday) Mousavi asked for a mass rally...
It is the most exciting and different time in Iran since my childhood when the revolution happened. This time most people voted because they were fed up with lies, bad economy, lack of jobs and all the promises that Ahmadinejad never kept.
The 85% turnout was unbelievable and prior to election date Iranian were so united and all over big cities you could see a lot of young people campaigning for Mousavi and the friendship and unity which was lost for years and years among our people was once again witnessed. All streets and many cars were covered by green banners, ribbons and the excitement was unbelievable. People who haven't voted for the previous election terms were so hopeful this time. Mr. Mousavi is an architect and before election was the president of "Iranian academy of arts". His wife is an artist and has Phd in political science and is his political advisor.
When the interior ministry announced the results ONLY after few hours and declared Ahmadinejad as the president without even giving the results of each province people went crazy. Of course he had the vote of the villages, deprived parts of Iran and military staff, BUT he never could have the vote of the province which Mousavi was born there and they just lied to people's face and thought people are stupid. But this time due to the unity of pre-election among young and old, and the other candidates' disagreement to the strangely low number of votes they got ..... the fire started and it is getting bigger and bigger. I still can't believe how it hasn't stopped. Every night from 9-10 pm people go on the roofs or streets and say "Allah o akbar" or GOD is the greatest, drivers honk and people do things to show their hatred and protest.
Well, I was never good at politics and still am not, but every single moment I find I am either watching TV and getting news from different international channels or search websites.
Whatever the results will be .......... one thing is for sure ...... people are not silent anymore and the present system can't keep them silent as before. Also the world is watching now and those who didn't know much about us and saw us through our government may see us differently.
What do you hear among Americans?
--------------------------------------------
Please keep following the news and keep all these many people in your thoughts.
Salaam/سلام
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